Red River Métis Land Rights debated at Supreme Court of Canada

Although it has been over 100 years since the Red River Rebellion or Resistance, depending on whose side you support, the Métis continue to battle for their rights. The Supreme Court of Canada recently heard both the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and the federal government present their perspectives on the Red River Settlement Land redistribution. During the 19th century, many Métis settled at the Red River as farmers and hunters. As the century progressed, tensions rose between settlers and the  Métis. In an effort to bring more white settlers into the area, the Métis were offered scrip to leave their land by the federal government, thus opening it up to white civilization and more agriculture. Many Métis accepted scrip and left the Red River Settlement to join their other relatives. Today the MMF argues that the government did not properly allocate the lands and set aside land for the Metis.

Here's a link to the article on CBC - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/12/13/manitoba-metis-supreme-court-hearing.html

There are many issues that are raised by this hearing that are both troubling and interesting. I think one of the most troubling issues about this is that it falls on an outsider party determining Métis land rights and ultimately, a significant issue for Métis identity as well. As cultural anthropologist and art historian Ruth Phillips recently noted at the College of Art Association Conference in 2011, it is up to Aboriginal people to create their own emic understandings of their cultures, rather than rely on etic understandings. Sadly, however, Métis, like other Aboriginal people, become dependent on these etic understandings (government and other definitions) of Métis culture. The question is, to what degree should Aboriginal people rely on these governmental definitions ? Or should we rely on them at all? Is it purely idealistic to argue that Métis should move beyond these definitions? 

Another question raised by this issue: what sorts of evidence will be used to support this case? Many Métis people in the 19th century were illiterate and thus it will likely be hard to find first-hand accounts. Secondly, does this mean that all Métis land claims that have hitherto been ignored and cancelled by the federal government will be opened up again for dispute? This case is part of a large kettle of fish that could be promising for the Métis, yet it also could result in more external dependency for the Métis on governmental definitions of who should be recognized. Thirdly, if the Métis win this case, who will choose who will be re compensated for lost lands and how? 

This will be a significant case to watch as we move into 2012. 

A Year of Exploration

This time last year, I was researching Frances Anne Hopkins at the Royal Ontario Museum, viewing her sketchbook. Its hard to believe another year has gone by! I'm thankful for all the great opportunities i had to travel to Santa Fe and the Southwest, New York, California, Italy,  and now I'm back again in Canada. I have led a very privileged life and I am thankful everyday for the time and ability to reflect, write and read. I feel that the more we travel in the world, the greater understandings we have of diverse cultures, and hopefully we achieve a greater understanding of ourselves too. As suffragette Miriam Beard said,  “travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” 
I'm also thankful for all the great scholars and mentors in my life. Especially in Native arts it is important to have leaders of excellence who are humble, creative and inspiring. 

In the spirit of reflection, I've assembled here some photographs of my past travels in 2011. Hopefully this will also serve as a sort of armchair travelling as well,  since that is what i'm doing most of these days. Happy New Year! May the new year bring you prosperity! 

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (Huron Carol)

Merry Christmas Everyone! Enjoy this Huron carol sung by Tom Jackson, a talented Cree Canadian actor and activist. 

Poem by Métis writer Martin Carriere

To lighten our hearts by Martin Carriere

 

Though the earth be fraught with ill
and danger lurks behind every hill
the mushrooms grow to repair the land
and make a soft place for us to stand
Though our minds still turn to thoughts of hate
and visions are slow to come of late
the flowers still push their heads through the soil
reminding us to take some time from all of the toil
For here in creation we are Sovereign still
and all the earth knows our freedom of will
to give back to the land all good - no ill
and pray for the soil the holes to refill
For here in this land we are responsible still
to put down our tobacco and offerings till
the sun fills the sky with radiant shine
to lighten our hearts - both yours and mine

Martin Carriere's statement: 

 

The earth is a great reparative machine. When we sit still and remember that death is our brother and with man currently being  the leading force of our physical world the destructive force is double what it is when the balance is in the hands of our women. Returning to this life-honouring state of balance means helping our women to remember their magnificence and their power for regenerating the life forces that sustain and strengthen all life in the world of creation. Making peace with our past is really only the first step.

This is a poem by Métis poet Martin Carriere featured in his book Carrying the Chalice Forward. He has served on several Métis councils over the past thirty years and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Please enjoy the poem and check out his book if you are interested in reading more. 

Remedies for Diabetics

If anyone out there is struggling with managing their blood sugar, take heart. I'm always on the lookout for treatments to lower blood sugar naturally and I found this great vegetable called okra which substantially lowers blood sugar. Here's an article on it.
You can find okra at your grocery store. Its a small green vegetable used in Caribbean dishes.  Buy the okra, cut it in half and them steep it in room-temperature water for about 6- 8 hours. Take the okra out and then drink the water with the fiber from the okra in it. The water tastes like cucumber water.
If you have used this method, let me know.


http://maxloh-something2share.blogspot.com/2008/12/okra-good-for-diabetic-treatment-sugar.html

New Look for my Book

Hey Everyone, I've created a new look and new price for my novel.
Check out Red Moon at smashwords!
What do you think of the new look?


















Stay tuned - i will be featuring a poem from Metis poet Martin Carriere on my blog this week.

Gibson Art Center and Our Story Coming Up Again

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. It finally snowed here so my mom, sister and I went out cross country skiing today! There is about 10 cm of snow so my skiis were scraping over some brown stony ground and getting caught in the lumpy snow, but it was nice just to be outside and see the blue grey skies.

The Our Story Aboriginal Writing Challenge for 2012 is coming up again except this time there is an art and a writing challenge - so all you artists and writers out there - get ready to showcase your best stories and fine arts!
Its a great opportunity to develop your work, win prizes, and have renowned writers and artists like Ken Monkman critique your work.

In other news, I just wanted to do a shout-out to my local community space the Gibson Art Centre. They have a great space with a gallery and gift shop. They currently have a show of delicate watercolors and textiles up on view. If you are in the South Simcoe area, you should view it. Also, they will have an artist in residence program up shortly so check it out at this link.